The restoration of the Martini tower’s four timepieces started this week
Translated by Alexis Veenendaal
The work started on Monday and since weather conditions allowed it, parts were brought down and for refurbishment on Tuesday, under the supervision of climbers. The climbers didn’t even have to go back and forth via a rope; the parts were brought down via a pulley with a remote control. The dismantling should take about a week, the municipality of Groningen says.
In recent times there have been regular interruptions for the timepieces. Research shows that the interior of each needs repair: the shafts and gears are worn out after almost 40 years. The gold leaf must also be reapplied, and the lighting is also being replaced by LED lighting.
The timepieces will be mounted again from 5 May, and the process will take approximately two weeks. The carillon clocks will continue to be used during the disassembly of the timepieces, so the Martini Tower won’t be silent during the repairs.
Other parts of the Martini tower have undergone major refurbishment in recent years. For example, the tower has a cinema room with a screen of seven meters wide and more rooms are accessible, as The Northern Times reported.
Image by Alexis Veenendaal
